We homos love Halloween--especially the queens. Give us a reason to celebrate and decorate our bars to the hilt and we're there.
Dipstick and I are sending our best to you this Halloween. If you dress up this weekend, send us a photo of you and we'll post them here! ask@lipstickdipstick.com
PS: Don't try and emulate the one my Nana sent me below (this isn't her by the way--she just has a great sense of humor) or do!
Lipstick LOVES Halloween. Down in the garage, there are two huge boxes of costumes I've collected through the years. Also, as a former sorority girl, I seemed to have doubled my collection during my college years. Greeks are always finding a reason to dress up (and drink).
Here are some old photos of Lipstick through her formative years on Halloween.
Really Mom and Dad, you had no idea I was gay--even when I dressed up like a punker dyke and entered that contest?
Oh yeah, and as a football player? What straight girl dresses up as a quarterback?
Believe it or not, the sweet little witchy costumed girl sitting next to "Chief Lipstick" in preschool is actually "Tatum" in the mugshot. We're not sure how she got from sweet little preschooler to rocking rambler.
After we heard Sarah Waters speak, Patty and I headed out on the town to hear our friend Ashleigh Flynn perform at The Media Club. She opened for the Wood Brothers, who were also really great. Think Jackson Brown meets Neil Young with a double base.
It was fun to see Ashleigh in our hood and we had way too much fun. I *was* able to video at the Media Room, so I thought you'd all enjoy her song "American Dream," which is the title of her latest CD. If you don't have it, go get her music! She's awesome!
* I didn't have Flynn in a fierce neck hold here--she could breathe, I promise--but a loving hug.
There isn't much time, but rest assured, there still *is* time to plan on joining Lipstick & Dipstick on the high seas! Check out Sweet's website for more information!
I'm counting the hours, the minutes, the seconds until I've got my flipflops back on, my girl by my side in her bikini and the sun against my face. (It's currently 36 degrees outside my window!)
The British period fiction master was in town for the festival and she spoke to Bill Richardson in front of a crowd of about 300, most of whom like tipping the velvet themselves. The event was called "Still Waters," but, Waters joked to the crowd, has been to many of these and they've always got creative titles: Troubled Waters, Steamy Water, Muddy Waters.
After Waters was done talking about her new novel, The Little Stranger--a story full of ghosts, gothic horror, poltergeists, female hysteria--they opened it up to the crowd. I stood and asked Waters a question about something I'm personally struggling with as a writer. I'm beginning my second novel (more on my first novel soon), so I asked her: How do you decide on POV (point of view)? It was an amazing answer which pretty much boiled down to: it's an organic process and you must follow your intuition. Waters said she just begins a story and it becomes obvious to her who needs to be telling it.
There was no videoing allowed so I was only able to capture still shots. I did find a video online of an interview she did at the Brighton Festival below. She was a great inspiration and very gracious and sweet. Go buy her books! Support our fellow sisters!
I was in Portland last week and we did a photoshoot for Curve. It's always so great to see our photographer, Maggie Parker, who has been with us from the beginning.
I snapped this photo (I have an amazing disjointed, telescopic arm) before we dispersed. I think Mags captured some great shots for Curve. You'll have to wait until the spring to see the photos (as they're slated for March and April): Dipstick & I with wedding rings and us offering up "The Lesbian Handbook."
In case you never saw our expose on the great photography that plays off our words in Curve, be sure to check it out below in the webisode "Butch Femme Lens."
You might not be hearing from me for a while. That's because I'm about to get on a ship with 1,200 other lesbians and sail into the warm Caribbean. With sunny skies, warm beaches and tan lesbians, I don't think I'm going to want to log onto my computer.
This is my first Cruise ever and my first trip with Olivia, the lesbian vacation company that has been bringing women together for 20 years. I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and blog about the trip when I get home.
It's a great weekend for music in Cascadia! First, you Seattle-ites will enjoy this little treat: Christine Havrilla is back! She will be performing on Friday night in Seattle at the Sunset Tavern with Camille Bloom.
Saturday night, she and Bloom zip down to Portland for a gig at the Alberta Street Pub. Here are the details:
It's an off year election this year, but that doesn't mean there aren't some really important issues that will be decided this November.
In Maine, the state legislature passed a gay marriage bill and the governor signed it in May. Gay couples should be lining up at the altar right now, instead they're fight a "Prop 8" style battle because the antis gathered enough signatures to put gay marriage up for a popular vote in Maine. The battle is REALLY close. Last I check 48% for, 48% against. It is so important that we win this battle. We must show the anti-gay haters that they can't bully us at the ballot box every time our legislatures pass a law in our favor. There's many ways you can get involved from donating money to volunteering your time. The National Center for Lesbian Rights has all the details you need to get involved.
Even more scary than Maine, is the battle going on in Washington State. Washington passed a comprehensive domestic partnership bill that grants gay and lesbian couples many of the same rights as married straight people. Those bastards on the other side SAID they didn't care if we had rights, just so long as we didn't call it marriage. We knew they were lying and it's evident in their mean-spirited attempt to take domestic partnerships away from not only gay and lesbian couples, but for people over 62 years old who need the protections as well. Find out how to help out in Washington.
Kalmazoo, Michigan recently passed an anti-discrimination law, preventing gay people from getting fired from their jobs and denied housing on account of their sexual orientation. Bigots are trying to repeal that law as well through the ballot box. You can help out in Michigan too.
Won't you consider making a donation to one (or all) of these campaigns. I did!
Have ya'll heard about the new pop culture phrase "no homo." Like me, have you been confused by it?
Thanks to Bryan Safi and his show "That's Gay," a weekly television show infoMania that explores gay issues/stereotypes portrayed by the "clueless media," there is no more confusion.
He's a funny guy and his show is great. No homo. Errr wait, yes homo. No hetero.
I've never been on a cruise in my life and in the next few weeks I'm going to be on two lesbian cruises. How did my life get to be so cool!?
On October 25th, you can join me and Curve Executive Editor Diane Anderson-Minshall on Olivia's Halloween Cruise to the Caribbean. I'm excited about the stops in Key West, Guatemala and Cozumel, but mostly can't wait to meet Leisha Hailey on board.
Plus, Diane and I will be hosting a sexy Curve party with interactive games and prizes. Ahh, I can't wait to feel the ocean breezes on my face, dip my toes in the warm sea and explore places I never thought I'd see.
Then, just a few weeks later, Lipstick and I will then be setting said with Sweet, on their inaugural Caribbean cruise November 7-15th.
If you want to join us, but haven't got the cash, be sure to check out the contest running over at SheWired. Enter by October 25th to win a trip on the Sweet Cruise.
Someone found their camera while biking just North of Kapalua on Maui at the end of July. He would like these people to get their camera and picture of their child back.
Know someone or a dyke couple who's having a baby? Are you preggers? Considering it? Looking for some cool new clothes?
One of my nearest and dearest friends has started a clothing line called Ava Rose Designs. It's an online clothing boutique for women and children. There are all kinds of fabulous things on her site for babies and kids--bibs, blankets, splat mats, burp cloths and, my personal favorite: The Ooopsie (which she has coined and created).
For mums, she has a great clothing line, too, which features bermuda shorts, pj pants, hoodies, polo shirts, and more.
I've known Mel since we were in kindergarden and she's been one of my absolute best friends since then. We've been through it all together, too, and she's as close to blood as it gets. She's pictured here with her daughter, the inspiration for the line, Ava Rose.
Put it on your radar, girls. There is a great new lesbian flick coming out: HannahFree. It's been gobbling up the awards at the film festivals and Sharon Gless delivers a stunning performance critics say. I haven't seen it yet, but hope to soon.
To find out when it may be coming to a theater near you, visit the movie's website.
Lipstick isn't the only one who is spotting Jennifer Beals out and about. This weekend I was in downtown Portland for the annual AIDS walk. I was in a long line waiting to use the toilet when who should pop out of the Porta Potty right in front of me, but Jennifer Beals herself!
Yay to Jennifer for showing her support to the AIDS walk. I had to pee so bad, I didn't stop and ask her for an autograph. Oh well, maybe next time.
Wordstock is nerdy Portland's homage to books, writers and readers. I love to go each year, just to be around other fans of written word. But then, there's the other perks. Like meeting your favorite writers. Granted, you have to wait in long lines, but it just adds to the festiveness of the whole affair.
Last year Wordstock was a blast for me because I got to meet Alison Bechdel. This year I got to meet another of my favorite authors, Sherman Alexie. And although he didn't recognize me, I did get him to laugh. A grand day.
I've just been reading about a mythical lesbian city in northern Sweden. 25,000 blonde lesbians roam the deep woods in thick waist belts full of woodworking equipment. Just the thought of these gorgeous lesbian lumberjacks have stirred men in China to jack their wood. And crash internet servers in search of these gorgeous Amazons of the North.
I almost bought a ticket to Sweden myself, when I heard of this city called Chako Paul. But google maps shows no reference to it. It could be that the lesbians have been deft enough to keep their secret society to themselves. Perhaps they've even conned Claes Bertilsen of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions who said, "At 25,000 residents, the town would be one of the largest in northern Sweden, and I find it hard to believe that you could keep something like that a secret for more than 150 years."
So, he doesn't say it DOESN'T exist. Perhaps he is in on the ruse. Have they paid him off? Perhaps I will book that flight after all... Who wants to join me?
Judy Shepard, the mother of slain Wyoming student Matthew Shepard will be on the Ellen DeGeneres show this friday. Judy has worked tirelessly for gay and lesbian rights since the beating death of Matthew ten years ago for being gay.
Ellen has been more and more out about gay rights issues on her show, especially hate crimes, bullying in the schools and gay marriage. I am so proud of her for having Judy Shepard on the show. I hope they both talk about the fact that although this horrible crime happened 10 years ago, violence against gays and lesbians continues. It needs to start in our schools. Kids need to learn to respect one another and learn that gay bullying is unacceptable.
I've heard what you've heard about the French supposedly being good lovers. Well, take a look at this video, they certainly are good kissers! Thanks Veronique for sending this.
My friend Polly just posted this photo on Facebook (She's the gorgeous one at the top right.) and did it bring back memories! This is my old college rugby team.
I wasn't a great player. As a matter of fact, I broke my nose in my very first rugby game. I ran into a player from my own team. In my defense, though, I showed up for one practice and they put me in the game the very next day. I had no idea what I was doing!
As the years went on, I got better. Especially after they took me out of the scrum. What the hell was I doing in the scrum? Look at me, I must have been all of 120 pounds then! I did score once or twice, on the field. I think I even scored a time or two off.
One thing we always said about our team, "We may not win the game, but we always win the party." If you've ever been to a rugby party, then you know what I'm talking about.
Be sure to check out the Portland Lesbian and Gay Film Festival this weekend. I'm not sure what tickets are left, but don't be left behind. There is sure to be buzz around town after the festival blows out of Portland.
A measured blend of guidance, wit and sincerity from the femme and the butch perspective, Lipstick & Dipstick is a punchy advice column in CURVE Magazine, the nation's best-selling lesbian magazine.
"Finally! What we've been missing from Oprah and Dr Phil!! Lip and Dip bring unflinching truth to gay gals who are in, near or want a relationship. And they drench it all with great gobs of humor. Irresistible."
Honey Labrador said:
"Get ready to learn all you ever wanted to know (and more that you never wanted to know) about that girl you are SURE is 'the one' in Lipstick & Dipstick's Essential Guide to Lesbian Relationships. A real page turner and eye opener...but most of all, with a sense of humor! If we can't laugh at ourselves ladies, than who will? Thanks for the insights...better late than never!"
Diane Anderson-Minshall said:
"Move over Dan Savage and out of the way Ann Landers. There's a new guru in town (two of them!) and they're dishing out sexy, saucy, ribald and totally irreverent advice for girls who can't say no, aren't in the know, or are still on the down low. Lipstick & Dipstick's Essential Guide to Lesbian Relationships from Alyson Books tackles everything from titillating first dates to vengeful ex lovers, bisexual babes, and the top five wedding no-nos (only a couple of dykes would put strippers and Styrofoam on the same list). Want to know when to take the plunge? Dipstick's quiz will have you down on your knees or running for cover. Does your girlfriend talk to her softball coach 17 times a day? Apparently Lipstick knows just the answer. Though you may disagree with the sometimes incisive, sometimes flippant recommendations-heck, they disagree with each other-you can bet that what you're reading is a well tested, hard-to-find, how-to guide to life as a lesbian in the '00s. No lesbian should be without it."
Really Mom and Dad, you had no idea I was gay--even when I dressed up like a punker dyke and entered that contest?
It's a great weekend for music in Cascadia! First, you Seattle-ites will enjoy this little treat: Christine Havrilla is back! She will be performing on Friday night in Seattle at the Sunset Tavern with Camille Bloom. 
Next, for you Canadians: Ashleigh Flynn will be opening for the Wood Brothers in Vancouver on Saturday!
It's an off year election this year, but that doesn't mean there aren't some really important issues that will be decided this November. 
I've never been on a cruise in my life and in the next few weeks I'm going to be on two lesbian cruises. How did my life get to be so cool!? 
My friend Polly just posted this photo on Facebook (She's the gorgeous one at the top right.) and did it bring back memories! This is my old college rugby team. 
